Product Description

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The Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics is a comprehensive reference book that parses out the challenging but vital relationship between Scripture and ethics. It offers needed orientation and perspective for students, pastors, and scholars, and is Written to respond to a movement among biblical scholars and ethicists to recover the Bible for moral formation.

As such, it is the only comprehensive work of this magnitude available on the intersection of these two fields. The volume shows how Christian Scripture and Christian ethics are necessarily intertwined and offers up-to-date treatment of five hundred biblical, traditional, and contemporary topics, ranging from adultery, bioethics, and Colossians to vegetarianism, work, and Zephaniah. The stellar ecumenical list of contributors consists of more than two hundred leading scholars from the fields of biblical studies and ethics.

They Include:

Biblical Studies Scholars:

A. K. M. Adam

Bill T. Arnold

Bruce C. Birch

Darrell L. Bock

Mark J. Boda

William P. Brown

Richard A. Burridge

M. Daniel Carroll R.

Stephen B. Chapman

Lynn H. Cohick

David A. deSilva

Chip Dobbs-Allsopp

John R. Donahue, SJ

Victor Paul Furnish

John Goldingay

Michael J. Gorman

Barbara Green

Daniel J. Harrington

Ralph W. Klein

Richard N. Longenecker

J. Richard Middleton

Thomas W. Ogletree

Dennis T. Olson

Leo G. Perdue

Anathea Portier-Young

Mark Allan Powell

Carolyn Pressler

Brian Rosner

Choon-Leong Seow

William M. Swartley

Contributing Ethicists Include:

James T. Bretzke, SJ

Ellen T. Charry

Kevin Corcoran

Miguel A. De La Torre

Thomas Finger

Jeffrey P. Greenman

David P. Gushee

Amy Laura Hall

Craig Hovey

Beth Felker Jones

Brad J. Kallenberg

James Keenan, SJ

D. Brent Laytham

James W. Lewis

D. Stephen Long

Ramsn Luzarraga

M. Therese Lysaught

Hugo Magallanes

David Matzko McCarthy

Mark Thiessen Nation

Christine D. Pohl

Stephen Post

Wyndy Corbin Reuschling

Joel James Shuman

Ronald J. Sider

Max L. Stackhouse

Glen H. Stassen

Paul J. Wadell

Sondra E. Wheeler

Jonathan R. Wilson

Product Information

Publisher's Description

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This one-stop reference book on the vital relationship between Scripture and ethics offers needed orientation and perspective for students, pastors, and scholars. Written to respond to the movement among biblical scholars and ethicists to recover the Bible for moral formation, it is the best reference work available on the intersection of these two fields. The volume shows how Christian Scripture and Christian ethics are necessarily intertwined and offers up-to-date treatment of five hundred biblical, traditional, and contemporary topics, ranging from adultery, bioethics, and Colossians to vegetarianism, work, and Zephaniah. The stellar ecumenical list of contributors consists of more than two hundred leading scholars from the fields of biblical studies and ethics, including Darrell Bock, David Gushee, Amy Laura Hall, Daniel Harrington, Dennis Olson, Christine Pohl, Glen Stassen, and Max Stackhouse.

Author Bio

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Joel B. Green (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is professor of New Testament interpretation and associate dean for the Center for Advanced Theological Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He is editor-in-chief of the Journal for Theological Interpretation and the author or editor of numerous books. Jacqueline E. Lapsley (PhD, Emory University) is associate professor of Old Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary. Rebekah Miles (PhD, University of Chicago) is associate professor of ethics at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. Allen Verhey (PhD, Yale University) is professor of Christian ethics at Duke University Divinity School.

Endorsements

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Wide-ranging, thorough, and cautious, the Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics will be a helpful resource for both students and scholars. With its mix of different kinds of articles and its attention throughout to biblical materials, the dictionary meets a significant need and provides something for almost any reader.
-Gilbert Meilaender,Duesenberg Professor in Christian Ethics, Valparaiso University

A book as ambitious as the Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics risks being too superficial to be helpful. I am happy to report that this is not the case for this imaginatively conceived and organized book. This book will quickly become an indispensable resource for Christian reflection on the moral life.
-Stanley Hauerwas,Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Theological Ethics, Duke Divinity School

The dictionary provides a wonderful tool for exploring the relationship between Scripture and ethics. Essays providing an overview of the moral concerns of Scripture and the shape of Christian ethics usefully frame an array of detailed articles. Some articles treat biblical books, others ethical topics, including virtues and vices, denominational traditions, contemporary topics such as environmental ethics, and controversial subjects such as homosexuality. The treatments are comprehensive and honest, informed by critical perspectives on the Bible and contemporary ethical reflection. They do not shy away from issues where churches, by their own admission, have misused Scripture (e.g., "apartheid"). This volume is a rich resource for biblical scholars and ethicists alike.
-Harold W. Attridge,The Rev. Henry L. Slack Dean and Lillian Claus Professor of New Testament, Yale Divinity School

Renewed interest in the relationship between Scripture and ethics has created the need for an accessible and reliable guide to the issues and the literature. This is it.
-R. W. L. Moberly,Professor of Theology and Biblical Interpretation, Durham University

Pastors, laypeople, and scholars alike will find in this exceptionally valuable resource wise guidance for Christian life and discernment about ethical issues. It offers an excellent blend of substantive engagement and methodological reflection from well-respected scholars. Highly recommended.
-L. Gregory Jones,Professor of Theology, Duke Divinity School

Scholars in the fields of Scripture and ethics are increasingly engaged in important conversations, and this volume is an excellent contribution to that dialogue. This star-studded grouping of contributors from biblical, ethical, and theological disciplines covers a remarkable range of pertinent topics, including every biblical book and every lively ethical topic. This invaluable reference tool will serve both lay readers and scholars very well indeed and contribute to the continuing interaction among them in thoughtful and provocative ways.
-Terence E. Fretheim,
Elva B. Lovell Professor of Old Testament, Luther Seminary

This is a wellspring of wisdom that will prove to be of immense value to the church. As we deal daily with questions of how Scripture relates to the vast and growing ethical challenges posed by today's society, the Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics will be a reliable source of insight and guidance. Its contributors are respected voices who have reflected deeply on challenges of Christian ethics, and this compilation is a treasure trove of rich and helpful perspectives.
-Wes Granberg-Michaelson,General Secretary, Reformed Church in America

The relationship of biblical studies to moral theology has not been given the attention it merits by biblical scholars. This impressive volume has pulled together important articles on a wide range of topics that will certainly be of importance to systematic and moral theologians. The selection of topics is broadly ecumenical and should appeal to the widest possible audience. Let us hope that this volume will spur a new generation of studies to reflect more carefully and systematically on the moral teachings and legacy of the Bible.
-Gary A. Anderson,Hesburgh Professor of Catholic Theology, University of Notre Dame

The Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics is a unique reference work, drawing together topics that are intimately connected but often relegated to separate spheres. Letting both spheres identify the topics, the editors have compiled a comprehensive handbook for thinking about the realm of ethics and the moral life but with particular attention to what the Bible has to say about such matters. At the same time, new directions are opened up as biblical texts and topics not often associated with ethical issues are seen to have much to say. Scholars in both fields will want to have this volume in their library.
-Patrick D. Miller,Professor of Old Testament Theology Emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary

It is rare indeed for a dictionary to be a page-turner, but this one makes the reader want to find a comfortable chair and a lot of free time to roam through it. The scope of the articles is remarkable as is the quality of the research and writing. If any single volume can help us draw well-informed connections between the thought-world of Scripture and the contemporary contexts in which we teach, preach, and seek to live as people of faith, this may be it.
-Ellen F. Davis,Amos Ragan Kearns Professor of Bible and Practical Theology, Duke Divinity School

This is a masterpiece! The articles are well written, provocative, and give tremendous insight into the ethical implications of the Bible. This book will make demands on the reader and challenge our ethical assumptions - which is always a good thing! The brief article on the book of Revelation for example opens up an entire new way of thinking about what faith looks like in the complex interplay between state power, the lure of wealth, and the value of persons. I recommend this book for people interested in the question: what does it mean to be faithful? Here you will be challenged to see the theological and ethical dimensions of that question.

This book has paid back every penny I paid for it. From the moment I pulled it out of the box (bought it from CBD) I sat down and began to read. What a wonderful, eye opening reference book. It's depth, range of coverage, as the layout is exceptional!

When I first thought about getting and dictionary on ethics, I foolishly thought that it probably wouldn't be very useful. BOY WAS I WRONG.

I highly recommend this book and would encourage all Christians Wh take the faith seriously, to buy, use it, and even read one article a day and ponder it prayerfully.

While this resource is not entirely bad, I did find that it has enough articles written from a liberal perspective that I was very disappointed with it and returned my copy for a refund. This was not an easy decision for me, as I really tried to like this book. But I simply grew tired of doing mental combat with the authors of the various articles as they seek to undermine the truth and trustworthiness of Scripture. (If you operate from a theologically conservative worldview and enjoy having your beliefs challenged rather than affirmed, you might actually enjoy this book.) In that respect, I find the title of the book to be very misleading, to say nothing of the glowing endorsements.

Three examples: 1. The article on "Poverty and Poor" gives the distinct impression that the vast majority of the poverty in the world is due to the wealthy oppressing the poor. What about the book of Proverbs? you may ask. Well, that doesn't count since Proverbs was written from an aristocratic point of view (= from aristocrats to aristocrats). 2. The article on "Homosexuality" seeks to muddy the clear waters of Scripture with the muck of cultural relativism, and leaves one with the impression that we living in (post)modern times might well do better in relying more on our enlightened thinking and less on an ancient text that is difficult, if not impossible, to properly interpret. 3. The article on race and racism (title?) vilifies anyone who does not endorse every liberal talking point on the topic. Don't have racist feelings, use racist language, or judge people by their skin color? Well don't think you're off the hook, since you are probably a "latent" racist.

I must say that I am both highly disappointed and very surprised at Baker. They missed a golden opportunity to produce a solidly conservative resource built on God's inspired, inerrant Word, the Bible. I can only hope that this is an anomaly and not an indication of entrenched liberal influence and/or leadership at Baker Academic.